Dehydrogenation and dehydrocyclization catalyst

ABSTRACT

Non-acid microporous crystalline indium containing materials are combined with Group VIII metal such as platinum to produce catalysts which exhibit high selectivity for dehydrocyclization of C5+ paraffins and which exhibit little, if any, cracking activity for hexane and heptane.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a divisional application of Ser. No. 138,471, filed Dec. 28, 1987 now U.S. Pat. No. 4,868,145.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Non-acidic catalysts based on crystalline microporous materials containing a dehydrogenation metal and a modifier comprising indium are described. The compositions exhibit high selectivity in the catalytic dehydrogenation and/or dehydrocyclization of paraffins.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Naturally occurring and synthetic crystalline microporous materials have been demonstrated to exhibit catalytic properties for various types of hydrocarbon conversions. The term "crystalline" used to refer to these materials relates to the ordered definite crystalline structure of the material which is unique and thus identifiable by a characteristic X-ray diffraction pattern.

The term "microporous" as it refers to such material relates to pores, or channels, with diameters of less than 20 Angstroms. Examples of these microporous crystalline materials include crystalline silicates, crystalline alumino-silicates (zeolites), crystalline ALPOs, crystalline SAPO and related compositions and intercalated pillared materials derived from clays, layered silicates and titanates. The crystalline silicate, alumino silicate (zeolites), ALPOs and SAPOs, have pores of uniform size and channel systems which are uniquely determined by unit structure of the material. The uniform pore size and/or channel systems allow such a material to selectivety absorb molecules of certain dimensions and shapes. In the art, microporous material having pores, or channels, of less than 20 Angstroms, can be divided into small, medium and large pore by the diameters of those pores, or channels. The pores of the small pore material have an average diameter of less than 5 Angstroms; medium size pores range from an average diameter of about 5 to about 7 Angstroms, and large pore materials indicates a diameter of greater than about 7. The word "average" is used to refer to diameter to embrace those species in which the pore is elliptical. Alternatively, the demarcation between small, medium, and large pore materials can be based on the following sorption properties (measured at room temperature for crystallites having a minimum dimension of 0.1 micron):

1. Small pore: n-C₆ /i-C₆ sorption ratio greater than approximately 10.

2. Medium pore: n-C₆ /i-C₆ is less than 10 and n-C₆ /Mesitylene sorption ratio greater than approximately 5.

3. Large pore: n-C₆ /Mesitylene sorption ratio less than approximately 5.

In the art, zeolites are a subclass of crystalline microporous silicates. Zeolites can contain aluminum as well as silicon. In some zeolites, the upper limit of the silicon/aluminum atomic ratio is unbounded. ZSM-5 is one such example wherein the silicon/aluminum atomic ratio is at least 2.5 and up to infinity. By way of illustration, U.S. Pat. No. 3,941,871, reissued as RE 29,948, discloses a porous crystalline silicate made from a reaction mixture containing no deliberately added aluminum and exhibiting the X-ray diffraction pattern characteristic of ZSM-5 zeolites.

Zeolites can be acidic or non-acidic, depending on the framework aluminum content and on the amount of compensating cations, such as Na⁺, K⁺, etc. ALPOs described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,310,440, which is incorporated by reference herein, are neutral. SAPOs described for example in U.S. Pat. No. 4,440,871, which is incorporated by reference herein, can be acidic or non-acidic depending on the ratio of framework Al:P therein and the compensating cation, such as Na⁺, K⁺ (other than proton species and other than proton forming species such as NH₄ ⁺). ELAPOs are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,500,651, while MeAPOs are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,544,143 and 4,567,029, each of said latter three patents being incorporated by reference herein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a new composition of matter, to its method of production, and to its use as a catalyst in paraffin dehydrogenation and paraffin dehydrocyclization. The composition is a non-acidic, microporous crystalline material containing a dehydrogenating a metal and modifier, indium. It has been discovered that these non-acidic crystalline microporous indium containing materials containing a dehydrogenation metal exhibit high selectivity for dehydrogenation and/or dehydrocyclization of paraffins. Moreover, while exhibiting that high selectivity for paraffin dehydrocyclization, these compositions exhibit decreased selectivity for hydrogenolysis (especially methane formation) relative to their indium-free counterparts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the invention is a catalyst comprising hydrogenation/dehydrogenation metal and a non-acidic crystalline microporous indium containing material. As catalysts these non-acidic forms of compositions exhibit extremely high selectivity for paraffin dehydrogenation and/or dehydrocyclization reactions, under conditions effective for paraffin dehydrogenation and/or aromatization.

The amount of dehydrogenation metal in the catalyst can range from 0.01 to 30 weight percent and preferably 0.1 to 10 weight percent of the crystalline indium containing material. In a preferred embodiment, platinum is the hydrogenation/dehydrogenation metal. However, the hydrogenation/dehydrogenation metal can be any Group VIII metal including those of the platinum group, chromium and vanadium.

The indium content of the crystalline materials can range from 0.01 to 20 weight percent. Practically, the indium content will range from 0.1 to 10 weight percent.

The crystalline indium containing materials of the invention are characterized by Si/Al ratios of at least 2. However, the silica:alumina ratio can be up to 1000, or greater. In specific embodiments the aluminum content of some of these materials is less than 0.1 weight percent. The crystalline indium containing silicate material of the invention can contain other elements including boron, iron, chromium and gallium. The content of these other elements in the crystalline indium containing silicates can range from 0 to 10 weight percent.

The indium containing precursors of the invention, described herein, are crystalline in the sense that they are identifiable as isostructural with known crystalline materials by X-ray powder diffraction pattern.

The crystalline microporous indium containing material has an X-ray diffraction pattern which corresponds to a zeolite, SAPO, ALPO, etc. For example, indium compositions of the invention have been made the crystal structure of which is that of ZSM-5, ZSM-11, ZSM-12 ZSM-23, ZSM-48, ZSM-50, zeolite Beta, ZSM-20, SAPO-5 and ALPO-5. These are characterized by pore sizes up to about 8 Angstroms. The X-ray diffraction pattern and significant lines Tables of these materials have been described in the U.S. Patent literature. In a preferred embodiment the pore size of the microporous crystalline indium containing materials ranges from about 5 to about 8 Angstroms.

The compositions comprising hydrogenation/dehydrogenation metal combined with the crystalline indium containing microporous crystalline materials do not exhibit any appreciable acid activity. These catalysts would meet the criteria of non-acidic catalysts described by Davis and Venuto, J. CATAL. Vol. 15, p.363 (1969). Thus, a non-equilibrium mixture of xylenes are formed from either n-octane or each individual methylheptane isomer, with the n-octane yielding more o-xylene and 2-methyl-heptane yielding mostly m-xylene, at conversions betwen and 10 and 60%. Alternatively, the non-acidic compositions will exhibit a pH of at least 6 when added to distilled deionized pH7 water maintained under inert (such as argon) atmosphere; by an inert atmosphere in this context it means an atmosphere free of CO₂. Typically, in these tests, 100 mg of catalyst was added to 30 ml. of distilled deionized water. Some compositions will exhibit a pH of at least 7.5.

When, as in embodiments herein, the crystalline indium dehydrogenation metal containing material exhibits an X-ray diffraction pattern of a zeolite, at least some of the dehydrogenation metal may be intrazeolitic, that is, some of that metal is within the pore structure of the crystal, although some of that metal can be on the surface of the crystal. A test for determining whether, for example, Pt is intrazeolitic or extrazeolitic in the case of ZSM-5 is reported by R. M. Dessau, J. CATAL. Vol. 89, p. 520 (1984). The test is based on the selective hydrogenation of olefins.

Compositions of the invention used in catalysis decrease the hydrogen content of the reactant to produce a product having the same number of carbon atoms as the number of carbon atoms in the reactant. By comparison indium-free counterparts of those compositions catalyzed also hydrogenolysis of paraffins, e.g., to methane, as a major competing side reaction; and, accordingly, the latter compositions exhibit decreased selectivity for the aromatization of paraffins but increased selectivity for C₁ -C₅ paraffin production. Some of the aforementioned catalysts were screened for hexane and heptane aromatization at 538° C. in the presence of nitrogen diluent. The results are shown in Table A below in which the crystalline microporous indium containing material employed exhibited the diffraction pattern of a ZSM-5.

                  TABLE A                                                          ______________________________________                                         Paraffin Aromatization over Pt/ZSM-5                                           Support                                                                        C5-Sel    Paraffin Conversion                                                                               Benz. Sel..sup.(c)                                                                      Tol. Sel.                                ______________________________________                                         B/ZSM-5   n-hexane 52%       31%   --   12%.sup.(a)                            "         "        98%       51%    2%  40%.sup.(a)                            "         heptane  56%       56%    8%   7%.sup.(a)                            "         "        95%       33%   31%  34%.sup.(a)                            In/ZSM-5  n-hexane 60%       81%   --    1%                                    "         "        99+%      95%   --    4%                                    "         heptane  50%       --    92%   1%                                    "         "        99%       --    97%   1%                                    Si/ZSM-5.sup.(b)                                                                         n-hexane 58%       69%   --   18%.sup.(a)                            "         "        99%       72%   --   26%.sup.(a)                            "         heptane  34%       45%   17%  14%.sup.(a)                            "         "        99%       62%    4%  34%.sup.(a)                            ______________________________________                                          .sup.(a) primarily methane.                                                    .sup.(b) high silica/alumina ZSM5.                                             .sup.(c) H.sub.2 -free selectivity based on carbon                       

The non-acidic platinum catalyst prepared from In/ZSM-5 provided much higher aromatics selectivity than all the other catalysts examined. Benzene yields from hexane were as high as 95%, while heptane produced toluene in 97% yield (H₂ free carbon base).

By comparison, other non-acidic platinum/high silica ZSM-5 catalysts containing the elements Cr, Ti, Sc, Ni, Au, Ge, Zr, all produced toluene in less than 55% yield from n-heptane. In contrast, the indium-containing catalyst gave better than 95% yield (on carbon basis).

The other catalysts, including Pt/B-ZSM-5 and Pt/high silica:alumina ratio ZSM-5 as well as those others enumerated above did not show any appreciable acid activity, in that platinum chemistry dominated.

Significant metal-catalyzed aromatization was observed; however hydrogenolysis to methane constituted a major competing side reaction. The highest toluene selectivity from n-heptane observed was 50-55%, and in most cases that selectivity was significantly lower. This is in sharp contrast to the aromatic product selectivity of the platinum/In/ZSM-5. The cause for this difference in platinum behavior from the Pt/In-ZSM-5 catalyst is not clear.

SYNTHESIS OF THE COMPOSITIONS

The crystalline indium-materials can be made in various ways. Indium incorporation can be during synthesis or post-synthesis; and the materials can be prepared either by stepwise or simultaneous incorporation of the indium and the hydrogenation/dehydrogenation function to the crystallization reaction product. The dehydrogenation function can be first introduced to the synthesis product with subsequent indium incorporation, or vice versa. Stepwise preparation includes techniques of cocrystallization, impregnation, or exchange. Crystallization with indium can be undertaken in a two phase system described in commonly assigned Ser. No. 878,555, filed June 26, 1986. Other elements such as boron, iron, chromium, gallium, can also be included. Simultaneous incorporation includes the combination of indium with the dehydrogenation/hydrogenation function during synthesis (i.e., crystallization) or simultaneously after synthesis of the crystalline material.

An indium free material can be treated with indium compounds at elevated temperatures. Such treatments can be conducted so that the source of indium is either in the gaseous (such as indium chloride) or the liquid phase including the aqueous phase (such as indium nitrate). Alternatively, an indium free crystalline reactant can simply be impregnated with indium source and then calcined at temperatures above 400° C.

The indium free reactant may have high silica:alumina ratios or contain other elements such as boron, chromium, iron, and gallium. Reactants and products containing 0.1 weight percent or less aluminum are the preferred embodiments of the examples. In materials of the invention, all cation-exchangeable sites are occupied by cations other than hydrogen and other than hydrogen precursors, such as NH₄ ⁺. Specifically, such sites are occupied by Na⁺, K⁺, Cs⁺, Ca⁺, Mg⁺⁺, Ba⁺⁺, Sr⁺⁺, or admixtures thereof. The alkali metals serve to neutralize any acidity due to framework aluminum. The source of alkali metal cation can derive from cations incorporated during synthesis, in excess of the aluminum content thereof. Alternatively, one can treat the final product with a basic solution of an alkali metal hydroxide as a final step prior to use, as described for example in U.S. Pat. No. 4,652,360.

The non-acidic, crystalline, microporous, indium modifier and dehydrogenation metal containing materials of the invention can be combined with a matrix or binder material to render them attrition resistant and more resistant to the severity of the conditions to which they will be exposed during use in hydrocarbon conversion applications. The combined compositions can contain 1 to 99 weight percent of the materials of the invention based on the combined weight of the matrix (binder) and material of the invention. When used in dehydrogenation and/or dehydrocyclization, the material of the invention will preferably be combined with non-acidic matrix or binder materials. A preferred matrix or binder material would be silica, when the materials of the invention are used in dehydrogenation/hydrogenation or dehydrocyclization.

These compositions of the invention exhibit high selectivity for dehydrogenation and/or dehydrocyclization, which is evidenced by the following examples. In the following examples paraffins of at least two carbon atoms are contacted with compositions of the invention at 0.1 to 500 psig, 550° to 1300° F., LHSV of 0.1 to 20, and reactor inlet H₂ /reactant (paraffin) ratios of 5 or less; preferably when the paraffin is C₅ ₅ ⁺, the temperature is at least 720° F. Furthermore, the compositions of the invention have found application in the production of olefins as described in concurrently filed Pat. application Ser. No. 138,430 (MOBIL DKT. 4397) and now U.S. Pat. No. 4,849,567; in upgrading naphthas by reforming as described in concurrently filed Pat. application Ser. Nos. 138,463 (MOBIL DKT 4400) now abandoned; and 138,474 (MOBIL DKT. 4398) now abandoned, in a one-step transformation of octane with selective styrene production as described in concurrently filed Pat. application Ser. No. 138,473 (MOBIL DKT. 4369) now abandoned; in post reforming of paraffin rich reformates, as described in concurrently filed Pat. application Ser. No. 138,472, abandoned (MOBIL DKT 4374); and in dewaxing as described in concurrently filed Pat. application Ser. No. 138,462 (MOBIL DKT. 4399), now U.S. Pat. No. 4,830,729.

EXAMPLES EXAMPLE 1

Crystalline silicate products were produced containing indium and exhibiting characteristic X-ray diffraction patterns of structures corresponding to ZSM-5, ZSM-11, ZSM-12, ZSM-23, ZSM-48 and ZSM-50.

Table 1 compiles the composition ranges employed in the synthesis of a series of In/ZSM-5 products with widely varying indium content. Also shown in Table 1 is the synthesis of indium-containing silicates having X-ray pattern of ZSM-11, ZSM-12, ZSM-23, ZSM-48 and ZSM-50. The footnotes in Table 1 specify the SiO₂ sources and the organic directing agents employed in the synthesis.

                  TABLE 1A                                                         ______________________________________                                         Crystallizations of Indium-Containing Zeolites                                 160° C.: Stirred 400 rpm                                                Mixture Composition (Mole Ratios)                                              Run  SiO.sub.2                                                                              H.sub.2 O                                                                             OH-   NA+   R     Time, Zeolite                            No.  In.sub.2 O.sub.3                                                                       SiO.sub.2                                                                             SiO.sub.2                                                                            SiO.sub.2                                                                            SiO.sub.2                                                                            Days  Product                            ______________________________________                                          1.sup.a                                                                            500     48     0.26  0.27  0.10.sup.c                                                                           3     ZSM-5                               2.sup.b                                                                            500     48     0.26  0.27  0.10.sup.c                                                                           3     ZSM-5                               3.sup.a                                                                            300     48     0.26  0.28  0.10.sup.c                                                                           3     ZSM-5                               4.sup.b                                                                            300     48     0.26  0.28  0.10.sup.c                                                                           1     ZSM-5                               5.sup.d                                                                            300     48     0.26  0.28  0.20.sup.b                                                                           1     ZSM-5                               6.sup.b                                                                            200     48     0.26  0.30  0.10.sup.e                                                                           4      ZSM-48                             7.sup.b                                                                            200     48     0.26  0.30  0.10.sup.f                                                                           4      ZSM-11                             8.sup.b                                                                            150     48     0.26  0.31  0.10.sup.c                                                                           2     ZSM-5                               9.sup.b                                                                            150     48     0.26  0.31  0.10.sup.c                                                                           2     ZSM-5                              10.sup.b                                                                            150     48     0.26  0.31  0.10.sup.c                                                                           2     ZSM-5                              11.sup.b                                                                            150     48     0.26  0.31  0.10.sup.c                                                                           3     ZSM-5                              12.sup.b                                                                            150     48     0.26  0.31  0.10.sup.c                                                                           2     ZSM-5                              13.sup. b                                                                           100     48     0.26  0.34  0.08.sup.g                                                                           3      ZSM-12                            14.sup.h                                                                             76     48     0.26  0.59  0.10.sup.c                                                                           6     ZSM-5                              15.sup.i                                                                             70     40     0.20  0.23  0.10.sup.c                                                                           3     ZSM-5                              16.sup.b                                                                             70     40     0.26  0.37  0.10.sup.c                                                                           3     ZSM-5                              17.sup.a                                                                             60     48     0.26  0.39  0.10.sup.c                                                                           3     ZSM-5                              18.sup.b                                                                            150     40     0.20  0.25  0.10.sup.j                                                                           3      ZSM-23                            19.sup.b                                                                            300     40     0.20  0.23  0.10.sup.j                                                                           3      ZSM-23                            20.sup.b                                                                            300     40     0.20  0.23  0.10.sup.k                                                                           3      ZSM-50                            ______________________________________                                          .sup.a Silica source is tetraethylorthosilicate (Et.sub.4 SiO.sub.4)           .sup.b Silica source is SPEX Industries precipitated SiO.sub.2                 .sup.c R = TPA+-                                                               .sup.d Silica source is DeGussa fumed SiO.sub.2                                ##STR1##                                                                       .sup.f R = TBA+-                                                               ##STR2##                                                                       .sup.h Qbrand sodium silicate                                                  .sup.i Silica source is kieselsaure precipitated SiO.sub.2                     ##STR3##                                                                       .sup.k R = Dibenzyldimethylammonium ion                                  

Table 2A is a compilation of chemical analyses of some of our indium-containing products. These products vary in indium content from 0.36-5.20 wt % In. The formulas of the zeolite products are expressed in Table 2 as a ratio of oxides per mole of In₂ O₃.

                                      TABLE 2A                                     __________________________________________________________________________     Analyses of Some Indium-Containing Zeolitic Silicate Products                  Sample Run                                                                            Weight Percent        Moles C                                                                             Moles per Mole In.sub.2 O.sub.3              from No.                                                                              C  N  Na In SiO.sub.2                                                                         Al.sub.2 O.sub.3                                                                   Ash                                                                               Moles N                                                                             N.sub.2 O                                                                          Na.sub.2 O                                                                         Al.sub.2 O.sub.3                                                                   SiO.sub.2                        __________________________________________________________________________     15     6.96                                                                              0.66                                                                              3.28                                                                              5.20                                                                              62.47                                                                             0.070                                                                              85.34                                                                             12.3 1.04                                                                               3.15                                                                               0.03                                                                                46                              14     6.74                                                                              0.43                                                                              2.64                                                                              4.19                                                                              69.94                                                                             0.24                                                                               86.20                                                                             18.3 0.84                                                                               3.14                                                                               0.13                                                                                64                              16     7.02                                                                              0.56                                                                              0.79                                                                              3.48                                                                              76.45                                                                             0.035                                                                              84.78                                                                             14.6 1.32                                                                               1.13                                                                               0.02                                                                                84                              13     6.01                                                                              0.61                                                                              0.65                                                                              2.79                                                                              81.83                                                                             0.031                                                                              91.79                                                                             11.2 1.79                                                                               1.16                                                                               0.025                                                                              112                               9     8.02                                                                              0.71                                                                              0.98                                                                              2.11                                                                              74.85                                                                             0.078                                                                              88.05                                                                             13.6 2.36                                                                               2.29                                                                               0.06                                                                               132                               8     8.01                                                                              0.68                                                                              1.48                                                                              2.14                                                                              74.64                                                                             0.11                                                                               88.72                                                                             13.7 2.61                                                                               3.45                                                                               0.11                                                                               133                              12     7.93                                                                              0.74                                                                              0.56                                                                              2.26                                                                              83.85                                                                             0.005                                                                              88.05                                                                             12.4 2.68                                                                               1.23                                                                               0.009                                                                              142                              10     8.37                                                                              0.81                                                                              1.83                                                                              1.92                                                                              73.14                                                                             0.025                                                                              88.36                                                                             12.0 3.46                                                                               4.76                                                                               0.03                                                                               146                              11     8.22                                                                              0.62                                                                              0.54                                                                              1.49                                                                              82.14                                                                             0.031                                                                              85.96                                                                             15.5 3.41                                                                               1.81                                                                               0.05                                                                               211                               6     4.58                                                                              0.79                                                                              0.48                                                                              1.46                                                                              86.70                                                                             0.029                                                                              91.86                                                                              6.7 4.44                                                                               1.64                                                                               0.045                                                                              227                               7     8.66                                                                              0.51                                                                              0.44                                                                              0.96                                                                              82.29                                                                             0.013                                                                              89.43                                                                             19.8 4.36                                                                               2.29                                                                               0.045                                                                              328                               2     8.12                                                                              0.69                                                                              0.40                                                                              0.36                                                                              78.05                                                                             0.083                                                                              85.69                                                                             13.7 15.7                                                                               5.55                                                                               0.52                                                                               830                              __________________________________________________________________________

The X-ray diffraction pattern for the sample of run. No. 8 of Example 1 was ZSM-5; for the sample from run No. 13, ZSM-12; and for the sample from run No. 6, ZSM-48.

EXAMPLE 2

The In/ZSM-5 of that run No. 12 was prepared as follows:

The source of the indium can be incorporated into the zeolitic silicate synthesis reaction mixture as a partial, or preferably as a complete substitute for sources of alumina (or boron) conventially used in zeolite synthesis. In the embodiments described below the crystalline indium containing silicates were synthesized from crystallization reaction mixtures which contained no deliberately added sources of Al₂ O₃.

A commercial silica gel (SPEX Ind.) with very low aluminum contamination was employed in the synthesis of In-ZSM-5. First, 0.85 g In(NO₃)₃ and 2.66 g NaOH pellets were dissolved in 180.2 g de-ionized water, then 5.64 g tetrapropylammonium bromide (TPABr) was dissolved in this basic solution. This solution was transferred to a 300 ml stainless steel autoclave, and 15.0 g of silica gel (SPEX) was added. The autoclave was then sealed and stirring and heating was begun. The hydrogel formed by this reaction mixture is described by the following mole ratios:

    ______________________________________                                                SiO.sub.2 /In.sub.2 O.sub.3                                                             150                                                                   H.sub.2 O/SiO.sub.2                                                                     48                                                                    OH.sup.- /SiO.sub.2                                                                     0.26                                                                  Na.sup.+ /SiO.sub.2                                                                     0.31                                                                  TPA.sup.+ /SiO.sub.2                                                                    0.10                                                           ______________________________________                                    

The hydrogel was reacted at 160° C. for 2 days at a stirring rate of 400 rpm before quenching. The resultant crystalline product was filtered, washed, and dried. X-ray powder diffraction analysis showed the product to be 100% crystalline ZSM-5, when compared to the diffraction pattern of a conventional ZSM-5. Elemental analysis of the ZSM-5 product gave: C=7.93 wgt %, N=0.74%, Na=0.56%, In=2.26%, Al 0.005%, SiO₂ =83.85%, Ash=88.05%.

These results expressed in mole ratios were: C/N=12.5; Moles/mole In₂ O₃ : N₂ O=2.68, Na₂ O=1.23, Al₂ O₃ =0.009, SiO₂ =142.

Platinum incorporation was undertaken as follows: The as-synthesized zeolite was heated in nitrogen to 520° C. at 1 C/min and held there for 6 hours. It was then calcined in air in a similar manner. The calcined zeolite analyzed for 41.05% Si, 2.21% In (Si/In2 =152), and 120 ppm Al, and sorbed 10.4% n-hexane at 90 C. The calcined zeolite (3 g) was stirred in a solution of 150 mg Pt(NH₃)₄ Cl₂ in 100 ml water at room temperature overnight. After being washed, filtered and dried, the ion-exchanged zeolite was found to contain 0.41 meq NH₃ /g ash, which is equivalent to 1.89% Pt on sample. The platinum tetramine zeolite was then calcined in oxygen to 350 C at 0.5 C/min and held there for 1 hour. Elemental analysis indicated the presence of 1.85% Pt on the final catalyst.

At very high hexane conversions (99%), benzene was formed in over 94% yield. Similarly, n-heptane yielded 96% toluene. Consistent with the non-acidic nature of this platinum catalyst, n-octane yielded predominantly ethylbenzene and ortho-xylene, 2-methylheptane produced mostly meta-xylene, and 3-methylheptane formed mainly ethylbenzene, para-, and ortho-xylene.

EXAMPLE 3

In EXAMPLE 1, zeolitic silicate was made using In(NO₃)₃ in the crystallization reaction mixture. In the Example below, indium was incorporated post-synthesis; in a subsequent step platinum was ion-exchanged onto the zeolite.

In this example, a high silica/alumina (10,000) ZSM-11 was calcined in nitrogen and then in air at 538° C. InCl₃ vapors were passed through the zeolite in a stream of nitrogen, while it was heated to 500° C. at 10C/min. The zeolite was maintained at 500° C. for 1.5 hours. After cooling, the catalyst was added to 200 ml 1M NH₄ Cl adjusted to pH 9.5 with NH₄ OH. The mixture was stirred for 20 minutes at room temperature, and then filtered. The zeolite was then reexchanged for 3 hours with 1M NH₄ Cl adjusted to pH 7.6. Thermogravimetric analysis indicated the presence of 0.325 meq/g ammonium ion in the zeolite.

Platinum was incorporated by ion exchange with Pt(NH₃)₄ Cl₂ at room temperature. The platinum zeolite was then calcined in oxygen to 350° C. at 0.5° C./min.

Under aromatization conditions, the catalyst effected aromatization of n-heptane to toluene in high yield. At about 500° C. (up to about 538° C.) and 30 torr heptane in nitrogen, toluene was formed in 94% selectivity at a conversion level of greater than 90%.

EXAMPLE 4

The ZSM-5-type borosilicate was synthesized at 170° C. from a mixture of 12.4 g high purity silica (SPEX), 105 g 20% TEA hydroxide, and 0.8 g boric acid. The as-synthesized zeolite was then calcined in nitrogen and then in air at 520° C. The calcined zeolite contained 41.39% Si, 0.015% Al, and 0.44% B.

Two grams of the calcined borosilicate was impregnated with 135 mg In(NO₃)₃, and calcined in air at 500° C. for 2 hours. 1.8 g of this material was then ion-exchanged with 28 mg Pt(NH₃)₄ Cl₂ in 100 ml water at room temperature. TGA analysis in hydrogen indicated the presence of 0.18 meq N/g equivalent to 0.87% Pt. The platinum-exchanged zeolite was then calcined in oxygen to 350° C. at 0.5° C./min.

The catalyst activity of the foregoing composition was examined. The "non-acidic" nature of the catalyst was confirmed by its ability to aromatize n-heptane to toluene in high yield. At 500° C. and 30 torr heptane in nitrogen, toluene was formed in 95% yield. Furthermore, the small amounts of both methane and propane produced were exceeded by the ethane formed, indicative of the low hydrogenolysis and acid activity of the catalyst.

    ______________________________________                                         %                               %                                              Conversion                                                                             % C1    % C2    % Benzene                                                                              Toluene (Selectivity)                          ______________________________________                                         96      0.4     0.6     1.3     92 (96%)                                       99      0.5     1.0     1.5     95 (96%)                                       ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 5

Indium-containing zeolite ZSM-20 was synthesized by the following procedure:

12.75 grams of sodium aluminate (NaA1O₂) and 6.02 grams indium nitrate were dissolved in 57.96 grams of deionized water. After the solid ingredients dissolved, 484.1 ml of 2.88 N tetraethylammonium hydroxide (TEAOH) was added to the solution. The resulting solution was now stirred into 312.5 grams of tetraethylorthosilicate. This solution was kept stirring for one hour until the hydrolysis reaction was complete. The resulting hydrogel was now transferred to a one-liter polypropylene bottle.

The polypropylene bottle was loosely capped and placed into a steambox (100° C.) to promote the crystallization of the zeolite. The next morning the bottle was removed from the steambox and the bottle cap was now closed tightly. The bottle was shaken vigorously, then replaced into the steambox. The reaction mixture for the initial hydrogel formed for the synthesis of the indium-containing ZSM-20 can be described by the following set of mole ratios:

    ______________________________________                                                SiO.sub.2 /In.sub.2 O.sub.3                                                             150                                                                   H.sub.2 O/SiO.sub.2                                                                     10                                                                    OH.sup.- /SiO.sub.2                                                                     0.9                                                                   Na.sup.+ /SiO.sub.2                                                                     0.09                                                                  TEA.sup.+ /SiO.sub.2                                                                    0.93                                                                  SiO.sub.2 /Al.sub.2 O.sub.3                                                             30                                                             ______________________________________                                    

Samples of the solid product were removed daily from the polypropylene bottle for X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis to determine the product crystallinity. XRD analysis showed that the ZSM-20 crystallization was complete in 14 days. The polypropylene bottle was removed from the steambox, and the solid product was filtered on a Buchner funnel. After filtration, the product zeolite was boiled in de-ionized water and again filtered and dried under an infrared heat lamp. After drying, a sample of the product was submitted for XRD and chemical analysis. XRD analysis showed the product to be zeolite ZSM-20. The chemical analysis for the indium-containing ZSM-20 was:

    ______________________________________                                         Weight Percent                                                                 C       N     Na       In   SiO.sub.2                                                                              Al.sub.2 O.sub.3                                                                     Asl                                  ______________________________________                                         10.0    1.2   3.0      3.08 58.5    11.4  75.1                                 ______________________________________                                    

which gives:

    ______________________________________                                         Moles C  Moles per Mole In.sub.2 O.sub.3                                       ______________________________________                                         Moles N  N.sub.2 O                                                                              :     Na.sub.2 O                                                                            :   Al.sub.2 O.sub.3                                                                      :   SiO.sub.2                         9.7      3.19    :     4.86   :   8.33   :   72.7                              ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 6

Indium-containing zeolite Beta was synthesized in the following manner:

5.95 grams of sodium aluminate and 4.68 grams of indium nitrate were dissolved in 85.14 grams of de-ionized water. After the salts dissolved, 105.0 ml of 3.1 N TEAOH was added to the solution. The resulting solution was transferred to a 300ml stainless-steel autoclave.

Now 46.67 grams of solid silica gel (SPEX Industries) was pored into the autoclave, the autoclave was sealed and stirring and heating begun immediately. The reaction was carried out at 160° C. with stirring (400 rpm).

The initial reaction mixture for the synthesis of indium-containing zeolite Beta can be described by the mole ratios:

    ______________________________________                                                SiO.sub.2 /In.sub.2 O.sub.3                                                             90                                                                    H.sub.2 O/SiO.sub.2                                                                     12                                                                    OH.sup.- /SiO.sub.2                                                                     0.40                                                                  Na.sup.+ /SiO.sub.2                                                                     0.09                                                                  TEA.sup.+ /SiO.sub.2                                                                    0.46                                                                  SiO.sub.2 /Al.sub.2 O.sub.3                                                             30                                                             ______________________________________                                    

After 4 days the autoclave was quenched in a water plus ice bath to terminate the reaction. The solid product was filtered, boiled in water and again filtered. XRD analysis showed the crystalline product to be zeolite Beta. Chemical analysis of the indium-containing zeolite Beta product gave the following results:

    ______________________________________                                         Weight Percent                                                                 C       N      Na      In  SiO.sub.2                                                                             Al.sub.2 O.sub.3                                                                     Ash                                    ______________________________________                                         10.84   1.71   1.4     2.5 69.8   4.2   79.92                                  ______________________________________                                    

which gives:

    ______________________________________                                         Moles C  Moles per Mole In.sub.2 O.sub.3                                       ______________________________________                                         Moles N  N.sub.2 O                                                                              :     Na.sub.2 O                                                                            :   Al.sub.2 O.sub.3                                                                      :   SiO.sub.2                         7.4      5.61          2.79       3.78       62.8                              ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 7

Indium-containing crystalline aluminophosphate molecular sieve ALPO-5 was synthesized as follows:

23.1 grams of concentrated phosphoric acid (86.3% H₃ PO₄) was diluted with 30.0 grams of de-ionized water. Now 10.0 grams of Kaiser alumina was stirred into this acid solution and the mixture was digested for 45 minutes at 90° C. with continuous stirring. After the digestion period a solution containing 1.18 grams of indium nitrate dissolved in 41.0 grams of de-ionized water was stirred into the gel. Finally, 37.0 grams of 40% wt. TEAOH solution was stirred into the gel and stirring continued until a uniform gel was produced. This gel was now transferred to a 300 ml stainless-steel autoclave. The resulting reaction mixture hydrogel can be described by the following mole ratios:

    ______________________________________                                                P.sub.2 O.sub.5 /Al.sub.2 O.sub.3                                                       1.0                                                                   H.sub.2 O/Al.sub.2 O.sub.3                                                              59                                                                    H.sup.+ /Al.sub.2 O.sub.3                                                               7.2                                                                   In.sub.2 O.sub.3 /Al.sub.2 O.sub.3                                                      0.02                                                                  TEA.sup.+ /Al.sub.2 O.sub.3                                                             1.0                                                            ______________________________________                                    

The autoclave was sealed and heated and stirring begun immediately. The reaction was carried out at 160° C. with stirring (400 rpm).

After 4 days the autoclave was quenched in a water + ice bath to terminate the crystallization. The solid product was filtered, boiled in water and filtered again. After drying the product, XRD analysis showed the material to be crystalline aluminophosphate designated by Union Carbide as ALPO-5. Chemical analysis of the indium-containing ALPO-5 gave:

    ______________________________________                                         Weight Percent                                                                 C       N       Na      P     Al    In    Ash                                  ______________________________________                                         6.66    0.84    0.48    21.05 16.01 1.44  89.45                                ______________________________________                                    

which gives:

    ______________________________________                                         Moles C  Moles per Mole In.sub.2 O.sub.3                                       ______________________________________                                         Moles N  N.sub.2 O                                                                              :     Na.sub.2                                                                             :   P.sub.2 O.sub.5                                                                      :   Al.sub.2 O.sub.3                    9.2      4.78          1.66      54.2      47.3                                ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 8

Indium-containing crystalline silicoaluminophosphate molecular sieve SAPO-5 was synthesized in a manner analogous to EXAMPLE 7:

46.2 grams of concentrated phosphoric acid (86.3% H₃ PO₄) was first diluted with 60.0 grams of de-ionized water then 20.0 grams of Kaiser alumina was added to the solution. This mixture was now digested on a hot plate at 90° C. for 45 minutes, with continuous stirring. At the end of the digestion period, a solution containing 2.36 grams of indium nitrate dissolved in 82.0 grams of de-ionized water was stirred into the gel. Next 74.0 grams of 40% wt TEAOH solution was stirred into the gel. This mixture was now stirred at room temperature until a uniform hydrogel was produced. The resulting hydrogel was transferred to a one-liter stainless-steel autoclave. Before sealing the autoclave, 2.04 grams of tetraethylorthosilicate was transferred to the autoclave. The autoclave was then sealed and heating and stirring was begun immediately. The resulting reaction mixture can be described by the following mole ratios:

    ______________________________________                                                P.sub.2 O.sub.5 /Al.sub.2 O.sub.3                                                       1.0                                                                   H.sub.2 O/Al.sub.2 O.sub.3                                                              59                                                                    H.sup.+ /Al.sub.2 O.sub.3                                                               7.2                                                                   In.sub.2 O.sub.3 /Al.sub.2 O.sub.3                                                      0.02                                                                  SiO.sub.2 /Al.sub.2 O.sub.3                                                             0.10                                                                  TEA.sup.+ /Al.sub.2 O.sub.3                                                             1.0                                                            ______________________________________                                    

The crystallization of the indium-containing SAPO was carried out at 150° C. with stirring (400 rpm).

At the end of 4 days the autoclave was quenched in a water+ ice bath to terminate the crystallization. The solid product was filtered, boiled in water, and re-filtered. After drying under a heat lamp, XRD analysis showed that the reflection lines for the product corresponded to silicoaluminophosphate SAPO-5, a Union Carbide designation for this material.

Chemical analysis of the indium-containing SAPO-5 gave:

    ______________________________________                                         Weight Percent                                                                 C     N       Na      P     Al    In    Si    Ash                              ______________________________________                                         6.32  0.60    0.48    19.88 15.71 1.45  0.66  85.00                            ______________________________________                                    

which gave

    ______________________________________                                         Moles C                                                                               Moles per Mole In.sub.2 O.sub.3                                         ______________________________________                                         Moles N                                                                               N.sub.2 O                                                                             :     Na.sub.2 O                                                                           :   P.sub.2 O.sub.5                                                                      :   Al.sub.2 O.sub.3                                                                     :   SiO.sub.2                    12.3   3.39         1.65      50.8      46.1      3.7                          ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 9

Platinum incorporation into the indium-containing silicate of ZSM-5 structure was carried out by direct addition of a platinum compound to the zeolite synthesis reaction mixture as follows:

A solution was prepared by dissolving 2.00 grams of indium nitrate and 13.07 grams of NaOH pellets in 710.28 grams of de-ionized water. After the solids dissolved, 26.6 grams of tetrapropylammonium bromide (TPABr) was dissolved in the solution. Finally 1.29 grams of platinum tetraaminenitrate [Pt(NH₃)₄ (NO₃)₂ ] was dissolved in the solution, and the solution was transferred to a one-liter stainless-steel autoclave. Before sealing the autoclave, 66.67 grams of commercial silica gel (SPEX Industries) was poured into the autoclave. The autoclave was then sealed and heating and stirring was begun immediately. The reaction mixture hydrogel can be described by the following mole ratios:

    ______________________________________                                                SiO.sub.2 /In.sub.2 O.sub.3                                                             300                                                                   H.sub.2 O/SiO.sub.2                                                                     40                                                                    OH.sup.- /SiO.sub.2                                                                     0.30                                                                  Na.sup.+ /SiO.sub.2                                                                     0.33                                                                  TPA.sup.+ /SiO.sub.2                                                                    0.10                                                                  SiO.sub.2 /Pt                                                                           300                                                            ______________________________________                                    

The crystallization was carried out at 170° C. with stirring (400 rpm).

After 4 days the autoclave was quenched in a water+ ice bath to terminate the crystallization. In the usual manner the solid product was filtered, boiled in water, and finally filtered again before drying under a heat lamp. XRD analysis of the solid product showed the material to be crystalline zeolite ZSM-5.

Chemical analysis of the indium-containing ZSM-5 product gave:

    ______________________________________                                         Weight Percent                                                                 C     N       Na     In   Pt    SiO.sub.2                                                                            Al.sub.2 O.sub.3                                                                      Ash                               ______________________________________                                         8.27  0.74    1.3    1.1  0.52  82.7  0.0265 85.05                             ______________________________________                                    

which gave:

    ______________________________________                                         Moles C                                                                               Moles per Mole In.sub.2 O.sub.3                                         ______________________________________                                         Moles N                                                                               N.sub.2 O                                                                             :     Na.sub.2 O                                                                           :   Al.sub.2 O.sub.3                                                                     :   SiO.sub.2                                                                           :   Pt                            13.1   5.52         5.90      0.05      288      0.55                          ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 10

A boron-containing zeolite beta was synthesized and then calcined to remove the organic template, by heating first in N₂ 25°-530° at 10/min and held 6 hrs. then in air in N₂ 25°-530° at 10/min. and held 6 hours.

25 g of the calcined zeolite was ion-exchanged with 750 mg Pt(NH₃)₄ Cl₂ in 400 ml H₂ O at room temperature overnight. The dried material was then calcined in flowing oxygen (100 cc/min.) 25°-350° at 1/2°/min. and held 1 hour.

10 g of the calcined Pt-containing zeolite was then treated with 0.9 g In(NO₃)₃ H₂ O in 200 ml H₂ O at room temperature overnight.

The zeolite was filtered and washed.

The In-containing Pt/zeolite was added to 150 ml H₂ O and titrated to pH 9.0 with 0.5 MCsOH (11/2 hrs). The material was filtered, washed, and dried. The final product contained 0.76% Pt, 11% Cs, 1.1% In, and 0.08% B.

EXAMPLE 11

The synthesis of a binary oxide zeolite having the structure of ZSM-5 was carried out in the two-phase system as in Ser. No. 878,555 filed June 26, 1986. The aqueous phase of the two-phase system comprised 2.8 g In(NO₃)₃ xH₂ O dissolved in 35 g water to which was added 63 g TPAOH (40% in H₂ O). Constituting the organic phase was 77.0 g Si(OCH₃)₄ dissolved in 35 g of 1-hexanol. The mixture was nucleated at 180° C. for 24 hours and crystallized at 200° C. for 144 hours. The final product was filtered and washed. The X-ray diffraction pattern of the dried material proved it to be well-crystallized ZSM-5.

The sample was ammonium-exchanged (1M NH₄ Cl, 60° C., 20 ml/g zeolite) and calcined. The chemical composition of the ash of a 1000° C. calcined sample was 79.3 wt. % SiO₂ and 1.5 wt. % In₂ O₃. The ash residue also contained a small quantity, i.e. 85 ppm, of aluminum.

Temperature-programmed desorption of ammonia indicated an exchange capacity of 0.09 meq/g for the product of this example. The Si/In ratio from TPAD was 190.5. The sample had an Alpha Value of 1.0.

The particle size of the product from this example was about 0.2 microns. The particles were made of pure single crystals with almost cubic appearance.

EXAMPLE 12

The synthesis of Example 11 was repeated, except that the mixture contained 3.6 g In(NO₃)₃.xH₂ O in the aqueous phase. The product material was filtered and dried. It had the same characteristic ZSM-5 X-ray lines as the product of Example 11. The material was calcined and ammonium-exchanged as described in Example 11. The chemical composition of the ash of a 1000° C. calcined sample was 78.2 wt. % SiO₂ and 3.1 wt. % In₂ O₃. The ash residue also contained a small quantity, i.e. 180 ppm, of aluminum.

Temperature-programmed desorption of ammonia indicated an exchange capacity of 0.21 meq/g for the product of this example. The Si/In ratio from TPAD was 77.9. The sample had an Alpha Value of 2.5.

The particle size of the product from this example was about 0.2 microns. The particles were made of crystals with almost cubic appearance. There were no impurities present.

EXAMPLES 13-17

The synthesis of Example 11 was repeated, except that the mixtures contained varying amounts of In(NO₃)₃. xH₂ O. Five preparations were made, with the following compositions:

    ______________________________________                                         Example      13      14      15    16    17                                    ______________________________________                                         Aqueous Phase (g)                                                              H.sub.2 O    40.0    40.0    35.0  40.0  40.0                                  In(NO.sub.3).sub.3 × 3H.sub.2 O                                                        0.9     7.2     1.8   1.8   3.6                                  TPAOH, 40%   63.0    63.0    63.0  63.0  63.0                                  Organic Phase (g)                                                              1-Hexanol    60.0    60.0    35.0  60.0  60.0                                  Si(OCH.sub.3).sub.4                                                                         77.0    77.0    77.0  77.0  77.0                                  ______________________________________                                    

The product materials were filtered and dried. They had the same characteristic X-ray lines as ZSM-5. The materials were calcined and ammonium-exchanged as in Example 11. Their properties were as follows:

    ______________________________________                                         Example     13      14      15    16    17                                     ______________________________________                                         SiO.sub.2, wt. %                                                                           84.0    77.5    80.5  76.7  82.5                                   In.sub.2 O.sub.3, wt. %                                                                    0.67    5.1     1.58  1.31  2.92                                   Al, ppm     105     65      130   85    60                                     Exchange Capacity,                                                                         0.09    0.17    0.17  0.12  0.21                                   meq/g                                                                          Si/In (from TPAD)                                                                          193     99      95    138   77                                     Alpha Value 1.5     1.6     1.0   1.0   n.d.                                   Particle size                                                                              2000 A  1 micr  2000 A                                                                               2000 A                                                                               2000 A                                 ______________________________________                                     

What is claimed is:
 1. A process for changing the hydrogen content of a reactant organic molecule having at least 2 carbon atoms, comprising contacting said reactant, under hydrogenation/ dehydrogenation conditions with a non-acidic catalyst comprising a combination of a hydrogenation/dehydrogenation metal, and a non-acidic indium containing crystalline microporous material and producing a product having the same number of carbon atoms as the reactant and having its original hydrogen content changed by at least two hydrogen atoms.
 2. The process of claim 1 wherein the reactant has at least 6 carbon atoms, and the product is aromatic.
 3. The process of claim 1, wherein said metal comprises 0.1 to 20 weight percent of the combination and said indium comprises 0.05 to 20 weight percent of the combination.
 4. The process of claim 1, wherein the hydrogenation/ dehydrogenation metal is at least one metal selected from the group consisting of a Group VIII metal, chromium and vanadium.
 5. The process of claim 1, wherein the hydrogenation/ dehydrogenation metal is a platinum group metal.
 6. The process of claim 1, wherein the hydrogenation/ dehydrogenation metal is platinum.
 7. The process of claim 6, wherein the indium containing material has an average pore size diameter within the range from about 5 to about 20 Angstroms.
 8. The process of claim 6 wherein said material has pores the average diameter of which ranges from about 5 to about 8 Angstroms.
 9. The process of claim 6, wherein the non-acidic crystalline microporous material is a zeolite.
 10. The process of claim 9, wherein the crystalline microporous material contains aluminum in an amount less than 0.1 weight percent, based on the material.
 11. The process of claim 9, wherein the material exhibits the X-ray diffraction pattern of a zeolite selected from the group consisting of ZSM-5, ZSM-11, ZSM-12, ZSM-23, ZSM-35, ZSM-48, ZSM-50, ZSM-20, and zeolite beta.
 12. The process of claim 11, wherein the material exhibits the X-ray diffraction pattern of ZSM-5.
 13. The process of claim 11, wherein the material exhibits the X-ray diffraction pattern of ZSM-11.
 14. The process of claim 11, wherein the material exhibits the X-ray diffraction pattern of ZSM-12.
 15. The process of claim 11, wherein the material exhibits the X-ray diffraction pattern of ZSM-48.
 16. The process of claim 9, wherein the catalyst also contains at least one Group I or Group II metal.
 17. The process of claim 16, wherein said metal is cesium or sodium.
 18. The process of claim 1, wherein said material is SAPO-5.
 19. The process of claim 1, wherein said material is ALPO-5.
 20. The process of claim 1 wherein the catalyst comprises 0.1 to 20 weight percent platinum; and ZSM-5, containing less than about 0.1 weight percent aluminum and containing indium in an amount from 0.05 to 20 weight percent. 